Potential switch.



J, D. IHLDBR. 1 11/ POTENTIAL SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED PBB.16, 1905.

1,025, Patented May 7, 1912 UN TTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. IHLDER, or NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 orIsELEvAroE centrall on EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION or NEW JERSEY.

POTENTIAL SWI ETCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 7, 1912.

Application filed February 16, 1905. Serial No. 245,965,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. JOHN D. IHLDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in P0- tential Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electric switches, and it has for its object to improve the construction and arrangement of such switches whereby they can be made, operative not only upon a fall of potential but also upon any reversal of phase; and my invention consists of the features of construction and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter more particularly pointed out.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an elevation showing the switch in its normal or closed position; and Fig. :2 is a side view showing how the switch is maintained in such position.

The switch comprises a base S of insulating material, preferably slate, and serves as a support for the various operating parts of the switch.

L, L are binding posts to which are connected the feeding circuits whose continuity is intended to be controlled. Suitably mounted on the base S with said binding posts L, L and electrically connected therewith are'the contacts 0, O. Adapted to cooperate with said contacts and close the feeding circuits are the switch arms D, D electrically insulated from each other as shown at R and W but more particularly shown in my Patent No. 594,87 9, granted to me on December 7, 1897, for an improvement in a potential switch. Said arms are electrically connected to binding posts P, P from which the feedingcircuit may lead to the apparatus with which my switch is used as a protective device.

Suitably pivoted at V on a standard G which is mounted on the base S at about the center thereof, is a lever N. Integral with said lever or mounted thereon is a U-shaped cross piece to which'are rigidly attached the arms D, D so that any move ment given said lever will also be transmittet to said arms.

The lever N comprises a handle F provided for the purpose of initially closing the feeding circuits through binding posts L, L and also to manually open said circuits when desired. Said'lever also com prises a catch T extending up ardly therefrom and a switch blade X extending from the lower portion thereof, said switch blade X being adapted to cooperate with the blades Y when the lever is in its lower position. The switch comprising the blades X and Y is provided for the purpose of closing an independent circuit or any circuit deor itmay act as a buffer only.

Upon the lever N, preferably at the central portion of the cross piece U, is a spring Z constructed and mounted in any suitable manner. In Fig. 2 it is shown as provided with a screw-plug device E for regulating the tension of said spring and a movable piston E. lVhen the main switch is in its closed position, that is, when the contact portions F and G of the arms D and D engage, respectively, with the contacts 0 and O,-the said pistca E engages an upwardly projecting lug M which is rigidly mounted on the standard G The spring Z-will thus be compressed so that when 5 the locking means hereinafter described is released said spring will throw the main switch to open position, the weight of the parts thus thrown being suflicient to close the circuit through the switch blades X and Y.

rived from the feeding circuits, as desired,-

To control the locking device, I use a small direct current or alternating current motor but preferably an alternating current motor of the indigction type herein shown as a three-phase mt tor by reason of the leads A, A, A. The said motor is shown mounted on the lower portion of the base S and on its rotor shaft is carried a cam B. This cam engages an anti-friction roller C mounted on the lower end of a trigger arm C. This arm C is pivoted at a fixed point V on a lug G integral with the standard Gr but placed against the base S and is provided with a trigger or catch T which holds and releases the switch arms D, D when the cam B is operated in a manner hereinafter described.

The cam 13 comprises substantially a segment of a disk with a cut away portion at B so.that when the cam in its upper position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. the roller C can ride into said cut away portion to allow the lever arm to he moved toward the left as viewed in Fig. 2 and the catches T, T released from their locking tion from said a: hos in an nay be integral cam 'lne with the earn 1 desii ments or hm? H and K, herein shown as. mount'd on motor, are provided for limiting the movements of tin lever H and hence the cam I5.

A weight I is detachably mounted near the outer lever and cam will be held in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 when the switch is open. The equivalent of a weight, as a spring, suitably mounted on the motor, may of course be used for the purpose of maintaining the lever and cam in their abnormal position, if desired. Or if my invention is used as an anti-reversing switch, as hereinafter explained, no mechanical means is used to move the cam to the dotted line position after the cam has been operated-but electrical means is employed for this pur pose.

The operation of my switch when used as a potential switch is as follows: The motor is connected to a multi-phase circuit so that it tends to rotate in tho direction of the arrow (1. The rotor ill of course move in a fixed direction with the phases of the power circuit in their standard relationship each other. The lever II on the rotor shaft prevents rotation of. the rotor after it has reached the position where itengages with the limit stop H on the motor frame. \Vhile the cam moves in the direction'of the arrow at it causes the trigger arm C to rock on its pivot V" and the trigger or catch T tcxbe pla d in position to lock the lever N and consequently the switch arms I), D inv normal position. The cam 13 thus'holds the switch in locked position so long as the currentfiows properly through the motor A. Should the motor become deenergizedby some cause, intentional or otherwise, there would no longer be any torque exerted on the rotor shaft and consequently the weight or spring attached'to the outer end of the lever H would move the cam to the dotted line position as viewed in'Fig; 2. When this happens, the lever G is free to be moved until the roller C assumes the dotted line The catch T is of course at the a ed and the main switch )ressureof the spring Z. of my device when used as h is very similar to only as potential. w t weight or spring is attached to the lever electrical means are de pended upon to move the cam to the e position, that is, said cam will not be rned automatically but by reason ofa wen-a1 of the phase relation of the motfhr As before, the switchis looked Suitable ahutend of the lever H so that the w sia'tt the rotauou or. tne cam in the direction inlo er lal' which unrated by the arrow a. Should now the current to the motor be out Oh, the spring Z can not throw the switch as the cam B is heavier than the lever H and holds the parts in locked posit-ion. Or even if B just balances H the cam and roller are in such relation that the spring Z alone can not operate to move the cam B through the lever O. In other words, after the motor has been energized and the switch locked it will notbe unlocked by a deenergization of the motor. In order to open the switch the handle F or cam B must be manually operated. In using the device herein disclosed as an anti-reversing switch the lever H is unneoessary as the limit stops II and K could obviously be placed so as to be engaged by the cam B. If by some mistake the phases of the power supply should be reversed, that is, if one of the outside lines leading to the motor should be reversed, the induction motor would turn in a direction opposite to that-indicated by the arrow, thus causing the cam B to assume the dotted line position. In this position the trigger or catch T is released allowing the main switch. to fly open and interrupt the feeding circuits attached to binding posts L, L. I

It should be noted that when the device described is used as an anti-reversing switch a smaller torque is required to operate the cam B and hold the switch looked as it is not required to act against the weight I or a s ring.

Although I have herein shown only two main switch arms and two contacts to cooperate therewith, it is obvious that it'would be within the scope of my invention to use three or more of such switch arms and contacts for any purpose desired.

I have deemed it unnecessary to show any complete circuits for the reason that they may be variously arranged according to the particular use made of the switch. My invention comprises particularly a switch which closes one or more circuits and which are held closed by an alternating currentmotor and intermediaries. For example, if:

desired, the circuits leading from the binding posts P, P may be connected -to' a double magnetic brake of an electric elevator-system and the motor A fed by current from an independent circuit. Or when three switch arms are used they may be placed in series respectively, with the leads of a three phase circuit and a three phase motor tapped to said circuit so that the device may operate as a potential switch. By reference to Patent- No. 726,302, granted to me on April 28, 1903, on Electrical Control of Illevators, one adaptation will be clear as the motor may beconnccted to the three phase circuit therein shown and the switch contactsconnected to the brake magnet;

, claim and desire-to secure by Letters Patent is:'

1. The combination of a switch, of an electric motor, a cam operated by the motor, and means positively actuated by the said cam for holding the said switch in closed position.

2. The combination of a switch, an alterna'ting current motor, a cam operated by the motor, and means operated by the said cam into position to positively hold the said switch in closed position.

3. The combination with an electrical switch, a rotary motor, a cam on the shaft of said motor, and means operated by said cam to locksaid switch'in closed position so long as thewpotential applied to said motor does not fall below ,a pre-determined value.

4E. Thecombination with a switch, of an alternating current motor, a cam on the motor shaft, and means operated by said cam into position to hold said switch closed and for maintaining said switch in closed position so long as the potential applied to the motor does not fall below a pre-determined value.

5. The combination with a switch, of an alternating current motor, means for locking said switch in closed position, and a cam on the motor shaft for positively actuating said locking means when said motor is sutiiciently energized.

Mhe combination with a switch, an alternating current motor, means for locking said switch in closed position, a camon the motor shaft for positively actuating. the locking means when said motor is energized, and means for releasing said locking means when said motor is deenergized. v

7. The combination with a switch, of an alternating current motor, locking means, and a cam operatedby said motor when energized to actuate said locking means to maintain said switch in closed position, and means for releasing said locking means and opening said switch when said motor is deenergized.

8. The combination with a switch, of an alternating current motor, means comprising a pivoted lever and a trigger for lock ing said switch in closed position, a catch connected to the switch and constructed to cooperate with said trigger,a cam operated by the motor when energlzed positively to actuate said lever and maintain said switch in closed position, and means for releasing said locking means and opening said switch when said motor is denergized.

9. The combination with a switch, of an alternating current motor, means comprising a pivoted lever and a catclrcarried thereby for locking said s\\'itcl1- in closetl position, a catch mounted on a switch and constructed to engage with the first-named :atch, a cam on the motor shaft and operated thereby when said motor is energized positively to actuate said lever, to lock said switch in closed position, a lever rigidly connected with saidic-am, limit stops forsaid lever; and means connected with said-lever tonne ?e the cam upon the deencrgization of s id motor to such a position that the locking device will be released and the switch opened.

10. The combination with a switch comprising a switch arm, of a rotary motor, a cam carried thereby, a lever having an arm extending into position to be operated by the cam. and interlocking members carried by and rigid with the switch arm and said lever, respectively.

11. The combination with a base, of a stationary switch contact carried thereby, the switch arm having a contact movable into engagement with the stationary con-- tact, a rotary motor carried by the base, a cam secured to the rotary member of the motor, a lever pivoted to the base, inter locking members connected to said lever and switch arm respectively, said lever being operable by the cam into position to so dispose said members as to hold the switch closed when the motor is energized, and means to move said cam in opposition to the power of the motor to disengage said interlocking members.

12. he combination with an electric switch, of a rotary multiphase alternating current electric motor, a cam connected to the shaft of said motor, and means positively operated and moved by said cam into position to lock said switch tion.

13. The combination with a manual switch, of a multiphase alternating current electric motor, a cam connected to the motor shaft, and means positively operated upon by said cam and moved thereby into position to hold said switch in closed position.

14. The combination with a switch, of an alternating current motor, a pivoted lever and a trigger connected thereto, a catch connected to the switch and co-ac ting with said trigger to form a locking device, and acam operated by the motor when energized to positively actuate said lever and hold the trigger in engagement with said catch and thereby maintain the switch in closed position.

15. The combination with a switch, of an alternating current motor, means comprising a pivoted lever and a catch for locking said switch in closed position, a. catch mounted von the switch and constructed to in closed posiengage the first-named catch, a cam on the.

motor shaft and operated thereby when said motor is energized to positively actuate said lever to lock said switch in closed'position, a lever rigidly connected with said cam, and limit stops for said lever.

16. The combination with an electric switch, of an electric rotary motor, apivoted lever, a trigger connected to said lever, a

catch connected to a movable part of said switch, and a cam operated by said motor to positively actuate said lever and hold said trigger in engagement with the catch while the switch is in closed position and the motor is energized.

17. The combination with an electric switch, ofan alternating current induction motor, a pivoted lever, a trigger connected to said lever and movable therewith, a catch phase relation, n

tor shaft, limit stops for said lever,

upon the energization of said carried by a movable part of said switch coacting withsaid' trigger to hold the switch in closed'position when the lever is actuated,

a cam carried by the shaft of said inductionmotor and positively actuatinw said lever mdtor by alternating current having a predetermined a lever connected to the moand a device for returning the lever, shaft and cam to normal position when the currentis'cutoff from the motor.

arms, of a lever on which said switch arms are mounted, a catch mounted on said lever,

resilient means for throwing 'open said switch, a fixed lug for egaging said resilient means, a locking device including a ,trigger for engaging saidcatch, an alternating current motor, a cam connected thereto, and 'so constructed and arranged that when said cam is moved in one direction it shall actuate said locking device to hold the said switch closed, and when moved in another.

direction by said resilient means.

In ,witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses- JOHN D. IHLDER. Witnesses:

C. H. LANGE, I FRANK T. BROWN.

I it shall allow said locking device to be released and the switch thrown open 

